Wyoming Rescue Mission: Donor Steps Up, Funds Still Needed

Although an anonymous donor has stepped up to fund a recent budget shortfall, the Wyoming Rescue Mission continues to appeal to the public for donations in a time of increased need in the Casper community and across the state. According to the Mission's Executive Director Brad Hopkins, a generous business person recently stepped up to cover a $48,000 shortfall for September and October, but the Mission still needs additional funds for those needing services through the end of the year and into early next year.

Hopkins says homeless men and women are turning to the Mission in ever greater numbers. “With the opening of our new Park Street Center last month, we’ve already seen a considerable increase in the number of people turning to us for emergency shelter and long-term recovery,” Hopkins said. “We are caring for an average of 92 men, women and children every night – compared to 59 people at this time last year.”

Hopkins said he expects those numbers will increase even further as colder weather sets in. “It’s hard to fathom the number of people across our state – and right here in Casper – who are hungry and don’t have adequate housing on any given day,” he said. “The cold and snow we experience during the winter months will drive more people to our doors.”

Mission leaders are working to reduce spending and have been using funds from emergency reserves to cover expenses. Hopkins says they are looking at an additional half-million dollars for operating expenses through the end of the year and into next, and although a portion of that revenue will come in through the Rescued Treasures Thrift shop, they rely on donations for most of the rest.

"It's about life-saving work that we do, I mean literally," Hopkins said. "That's what we do at Wyoming Rescue Mission, we save lives and get people reconnected and restored back to the community."

If you'd like to make a donation, you can do it online at wyomission.org or mail it to Wyoming Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 2030, Casper, WY 82602.